Sheldon Bernsen

Sheldon Bernsen passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his beloved family just days shy of his 93rd birthday. Sheldon was born in Chicago to Shirley (Mines) and Mandell Bernsen. He graduated from Von Steuben High School and received his BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois and a Masters in Chemical Engineering from Northwestern University. After college, Sheldon was drafted into the US Navy, trained at Great Lakes Naval Base and spent 19 months on The USS Lexington AirCraft Carrier. Sheldon went on to receive an MBA from Lake Forest College later in life while working at Abbott Laboratories and was class salutatorian. Sheldon had a wonderful 36 year career at Abbott, starting in the labs and working his way up to Vice President. He designed and ran the Puerto Rico plant, earned a patent, and travelled extensively all over the world. He was a mentor to many and known as an intelligent, creative and esteemed leader. Sheldon's greatest joy was his family. He met the love of his life, Adrienne Katz (Skookie), while at the University of Illinois and was immediately smitten. Skookie brought love, kindness, beauty and fun to his life. Skookie and Sheldon (known fondly as Sandy for his beautiful flaming red hair) raised their two daughters Julie and Susie in Highland Park and worked hard to ensure them a wonderful life. He loved golf and the stock market and enjoyed both during his retirement. Sheldon was very handy. He could repair anything and invented many household fixes, including a baby monitor before they became available. He loved gardening and cigars, the Bears and the Cubs. Judaism was very important to him. Sheldon possessed a very strong sense of personal responsibility and practiced unconditional love.Sheldon was the king of the castle and his three girls loved him dearly. He leaves behind a family that adored him: Skookie, Julie and Dr. Barry Brook, Susie and Kurt Gutheim, Dr. Loren Brook and Dr. Mary Kathleen Tompkins, Dr. Melissa and William Zimmerman, Dr. Daniel Brook and Jaclyn Serpico, Dr. Philip Ostrov and Nicholas Palomares, Ethan Ostrov, and four great grandchildren: Gavriel and Zara Zimmerman, Oscar Tompkins Brook and Aviva Serpico Brook. Sheldon lived a remarkable life and will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. Private services have been held. Donations in Sheldon's memory to the ARK at https://give.arkchicago.org., would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Ner Tamid Funerals, Shive information is available at www.NTFunerals.com or 847-504-7336

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Sheldon Bernsen, please visit our Tree Store.